Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to deny No Objection Certificates (NOC) to Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan for the upcoming Global T20 (GT20) League Canada. The tournament is set to begin from July 25 and will run until August 11. Despite it not clashing with any of Pakistan’s international affairs, the PCB is unlikely to issue an NOC due to their policy of denying certificate to all-format players.
According to Geo News, the PCB is not in favour of players participation in the league due to their busy schedule. Pakistan’s next assignment will be a two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home beginning from August 21. Recently, the Pakistan board also denied NOC to fast bowler Naseem Shah to participate in the fourth season of The Hundred in England.
The youngster has not been issued the certificate to keep him fit for the upcoming cricket calendar as he features in all three formats for the national side.
Furthermore, the GT20 League Canada is yet to receive approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to reports, the discussions on NOC will happen only after the league gets approval.
There”ll be no compromise on discipline: Mohsin Naqvi
Notably, fast bowler Mohammad Amir, all-rounders Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed and batter Asif Ali also have contracts in the league. Earlier, PCB Chairman mentioned that the players will be granted NOC on the basis of their fitness and performance and there will be no compromise on the discipline.
“The players will be promoted on the basis of their fitness and performance. There’s no place for players who do not fit the criteria. There’ll also be no compromise on discipline,” said PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.
After the Bangladesh series, Pakistan will have a three-match Test series against England beginning from October 7. Pakistan are currently ranked on the fifth spot on the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with two wins from five matches having a points percentage of 36.66. Pakistan also have a two-match home series against West Indies and an away series of as many games against South Africa.